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Monday, September 20, 2010

Having recently moved into a new apartment, I've spent a fair amount of time creating a productive writing space. Every writer has their own process and their own quirks. Some people can only write outside their home, can only hand write with sharp number 2 pencils, or need a pot of coffee and their special blue ballpoint pen. The following is what works to get and keep me in "the zone."

The Physical Space
I like a small writing space. I want all things to be within arms reach or a swivel of my chair. Which is indeed point number one: have a COMFORTABLE CHAIR. If you're truly working, you're spending a lot of hours with butt-in-chair. You want a model that supports your posture and keeps you as comfortable as possible for the duration.

I like to keep all REFERENCE MATERIAL close by. This includes notes, reference books, and magazines--basically anything I may need to check or recheck during writing time. I have a small shelf with books on writing and references in my office as well as a crate full of back issues of The Writer and Writer's Journal. An old article can sometimes be the key to solving a current writing block.

ORGANIZATION takes top priority. I like my space to be clean and free of visual distractions. No clutter is allowed nor anything unrelated to the task at hand. CORK BOARDS AND WHITEBOARDS play a big role in my process as well. I pin up notes I've jotted on random scraps of paper, things I want to remember to include in work, thoughts and inspirations, plotting. I scribble points of interest and to do lists on white boards--in fact I'm writing from white board notes at this very moment.

The Mental Space

My mental space is just as important to me as my physical space when writing. I have a wandering mind and imagination that I need to keep in check in order to do my best work and stay on task. I do what I can to minimize DISTRACTIONS. I keep myself logged off of the Internet as much as possible--too many temptations and time wasters lay hidden there waiting to sabotage my efforts.

I set a creative MOOD by lighting incense or candles, playing whatever music moves me at the moment, and setting the lighting as bright as possible.

I surround myself with plenty of INSPIRATION. I have a framed picture from the new Battlestar Galactica series above my desk. During a roadblock I glance up at it and try to channel Ronald Moore's ability to weave a story, create high levels of suspense and mystery, and create a substantial story world. I have quotes posted around my desk as well as my mantra of "Shitty First Drafts" written in all caps sharpie! I have pictures hanging on the wall from The Matrix as a reminder to be innovative and one from Harry Potter to remind myself that all things are possible. As sappy as it sounds, these items truly do instill me with passion and faith.

The last part of taming mental space comes from PEOPLE. There are those in your life that either intentionally or unintentionally bring you down. So many, due to their own prejudices, see writing as folly. They will call you during your writing time, get angry when you decline invitations, or just plain tell you you're nuts for attempting to publish. There are also those that will be supportive, give you the space you need to succeed, and cheer you on your road to success. Make sure you know the difference and act accordingly.

I'd love to hear what requirements and rituals other writers have. Please share in the comments section.

Monday, August 2, 2010

First of all, I just want to say welcome to my journey. I'm not sure where I'm going but I'm going there nonetheless. And now here you are with me. Look around you. What do you see? Anything? What I see is a vast cyberworld in which I can lay the foundations of my brand and share my art with the world.

It wasn't long ago that I first ventured into the world of blogging and social media. For years I rejected the concept and denied myself of its advantages. But now I know that the benefits of exposure seriously outweigh the detriments. Just ask Paris Hilton.

After the many controversies surrounding Facebook and Twitter, and my own experimentation with them, I realize one key thing. People like personalities. They want to know things about these personalities. People want to be all up in the business of these personalities. They like to see them struggle but they also like to see them succeed.

When it comes to following a personality on Twitter or friending them on Facebook, the odds are that you already know a whole heck of a lot about them. You know what movies they've been in, what songs they wrote, what politics they practice. You want them close to you because you like them and want to keep up with them.

So, one day it dawns on me, wouldn’t it be just as or even more compelling, to follow someone up and coming? To see them rise to the occasion or possibly fall flat? And I decided that’s exactly what I would do. Just like any reality show out there, I want you to get to know me and root for me! I want you to watch me struggle, celebrate my achievements and bemoan my failures.

I also want to show the nitty gritty of what it takes to be a writer, to be one tiny fish in a glorious ocean of fish, many of which bigger and scarier or smaller and wimpier than myself. I want you to be a part of the process and I want to win you over with delightful stories of the strange and unusual--that is my specialty. Be my fan, my friend, and my follower.

Contact Me

Mission

I'm a writer in Chicago grinding it out to make a living doing what I love: using my imagination to create offbeat tales of dynamic characters and exciting action.
As an artistic person, I need many outlets of expression so I also sketch and paint as life allows. I recently began an Etsy store and blog featuring my work.
I hope that you'll join me on my journey and share in the tales I weave. I'm just getting started. There are many more great things to come from my imagination and I plan to bestow them all in some form or another. You can also follow my antics on any of the social media sites listed on my blog or contact me directly using the form.